SELENE – The Goddess of the moon By: Niraj Jinan

SELENE’S FAMILY Selene is the Titan goddess of the moon, daughter of Theia, the Titan goddess of light, and Hyperion, the Titan god of wisdom. She also has a sister, Eos, the Titan goddess of dawn, and a brother, Helios, the Titan god of the Sun.

SELENE AND ENDYMION Selene was flying around the sky on her horses, when she caught sight of a handsome shepherd sleeping in his hut. His name was Endymion. She went back home and could not stop thinking about him.

THE INQUIRY Selene then goes to Zeus, the king of gods, and asks if Endymion can be granted immortality, even though she hasn’t even met him. However, Selene learns from her sister Eos’s mistake. Eos wished for immortality for her “love”, but did not wish for eternal youth and was left with a cripple.

ZEUS GRANTS THE WISH Ultimately, Zeus gives in and grants Selene her wish. However, as always, there was a catch. Since Endymion was sleeping, he would live forever and stay forever young, but would be sleeping forever as well, much to the dismay of Selene.

ENDYMION’S DREAM Endymion lived with the other Aeolians, who were located near Thessaly. While Endymion was sleeping, he was smiling the entire time. This is because he was dreaming of holding moon in his hands. Selene felt better when she saw that he was smiling.

THEIR CHILDREN Selene bore fifty daughters to Endymion during his eternal sleep. Each and every one of them were just like him: pale and sleepy. These daughters were known as the Menai, who represented the lunar months.

SELENE’S AFFAIR WITH ZEUS Selene was also known for having a short affair with the king of the gods, Zeus. During the time they spent together they had many children, most notably Nemea, Pandeia, and Ersa.

THE LUNAR GODDESS TRIO In many sources and writings, Hecate and Artemis were linked with Selene as the three major lunar goddesses, despite the many minor goddesses present.

WORKS CITED http://www.greekmythology.com/Titans/Selene/selene.html http://greece.phillipmartin.info/ http://www.theoi.com/Titan/Selene.html http://www.paleothea.com/Myths/Selene.html